Unilateral pruritus and Nocardia brain abscess

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Dermatology

Background:

• Pruritus (itching) without a visible rash often suggests a systemic or internal medical cause.
• Cerebral conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) or infarctions are rarely associated with pruritus.

Observation:

• A patient presented with unilateral itching and a confirmed Nocardia brain abscess.
• The patient also exhibited sensory loss and motor deficits on the side opposite the brain lesion.

Findings:

• This case suggests a potential link between Nocardia brain abscess and unilateral pruritus.
• The co-occurrence of itching with sensory and motor deficits implies itching may share cerebral representation with other sensory modalities.

Implications:

• Unilateral itching warrants investigation for potential central nervous system (CNS) pathology, including infections.
• This finding expands the understanding of pruritus as a potential neurological symptom, particularly in the context of cerebral abscesses.